Last updated November 2026
The Richmond Ranges Te Araroa route crosses Mount Richmond Forest Park from the Pelorus River to Tophouse Road, near St Arnaud.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) calls it one of the most challenging parts of Te Araroa: you need advanced backcountry tramping skills and supplies for at least ten days. DOC gives 8 days and grades it as advanced tramping track and expert route.
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had two alerts: windfalls between the Wairoa Gorge road end and Mid Wairoa Hut (“Care is required.
Allow extra time.”), and helicopter wilding conifer spraying around the Motueka Gorge and Red Hills until 25 October 2026. The route lies about 35 km from Nelson, and one entry, the Hacket Track car park, is on Aniseed Valley Road south of Richmond.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Richmond Ranges Te Araroa route on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Mt Richmond Road end (Pelorus Bridge), or the Hacket Track car park on Aniseed Valley Road
- Finish
- Tophouse Road near the Lowther Road turn-off
- Distance from the city
- About 35 km from Nelson
- Walking time
- 8 days (carry food for at least 10)
- Grade
- Advanced tramping track and expert route
- Dogs
- Dogs with a DOC permit only
- Huts
- 15 DOC huts along the route (see below)
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open with a DOC alert when checked on 18 October 2026 (windfalls between the Wairoa Gorge road end and Mid Wairoa Hut; helicopter wilding conifer spraying around the Motueka Gorge and Red Hills until 25 October 2026). Check DOC before you go.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Richmond Ranges Te Araroa Route
DOC describes very challenging terrain, extreme alpine weather, many unbridged river crossings and steep drop-offs. Even in summer there can be snow, freezing temperatures and flooded rivers. It is a trip for experienced trampers who have read the route carefully and decided it suits them.
Pelorus River to Hacket Hut
From the end of Mt Richmond Road the track follows Te Hoiere/Pelorus River for an hour to Emerald Pool, then climbs and drops back to Captains Creek Hut (4 hr). It continues to Middy Creek Hut (2 hr), climbs to the Bryant Range and Rocks Hut (3 hr), then passes The Rocks (939 m) and Tōtara Saddle to Browning Hut (4 hr 30 min) and on to Hacket Hut (1 hr).
You can also start from the Hacket Track car park, 2 hours to Hacket Hut, though DOC warns of multiple slips on the Hacket Track network, with slip sections marked by danger signs.
The alpine section
From Hacket Hut the track climbs past Pyramid Rock to Starveall Hut (4 hr). The pole-marked Alpine Route then crosses Mt Starveall towards Slaty Hut (2 hr 30 min), with a detour possible to the 1,511 m summit.
From Slaty Hut the route stays almost entirely above the bushline to Old Man Peak and Old Man Hut (5 hr), then crosses Little Rintoul and Mt Rintoul (1731 m), the highest and most difficult point, to Mt Rintoul Hut (5 hr). DOC warns this terrain is steep and broken and can be treacherously icy in winter.
Tarn Hut to the Wairoa
Beyond Purple Top and Bishops Cap is Tarn Hut (5 hr), then a steep descent to Mid Wairoa Hut (4 hr). The Mid Wairoa to Top Wairoa section (8 km, 4 hr 30 min) has a lot of steep sidling and eight river crossings, and DOC says some trampers will find it very challenging.
Mt Ellis and the Red Hills
From Top Wairoa Hut the track climbs to Mt Ellis (1615 m), with 360-degree views over Tasman Bay and the Red Hills, then drops to cross the Motueka River to Hunters Hut (12 km, 5 hr). It skirts the Red Hills ultramafic area to Porters Creek Hut (9 km, 4 hr), crosses the Motueka River again to Red Hills Hut (11 km, 5 hr), and climbs Maitland Ridge before descending Beebys Knob Road to Tophouse Road (11.6 km, 4 hr 30 min).
Huts and Exit Options
The route passes Captains Creek, Middy Creek, Rocks, Browning, Hacket, Starveall, Slaty, Old Man, Mt Rintoul, Tarn, Mid Wairoa, Top Wairoa, Hunters, Porters Creek and Red Hills huts.
All are standard DOC huts, and DOC’s hut pages list them as bookings required, at $15 per adult per night and $7.50 per youth (5–17 years). DOC still advises packing a tent in case you do not get a bunk.
If the trip proves too hard, supplies run low or bad weather is coming, DOC gives two exits. From the junction before Bushy Top, a track leads over Bushy Top to Lower Goulter Hut and the Goulter road end (5–6 hr), although DOC notes that as of July 2023 the Goulter Road was shut from Patriarch Station by washouts.
From Mid Wairoa Hut, a track follows the Wairoa River out to the Wairoa road end and a locked gate (5 hr).
Track Conditions and Safety
DOC strongly recommends against packing light and moving fast. Carry enough food for at least 10 days, a distress beacon and an emergency shelter, since there is nowhere to resupply.
Wear boots with good grip and go slowly near drops: DOC says a fall can be fatal, especially between Old Man Hut and Rintoul Hut and between Mid Wairoa and Top Wairoa huts.
People have died crossing Richmond Ranges rivers, and after rain even small side creeks can become deadly. Do not cross flooded rivers; wait in a hut or your shelter. If in doubt, stay out. Water is scarce in summer, so carry at least 3 litres per person, and pack antihistamine for wasps between January and April.
DOC says you should be fit enough to walk 6 to 8 hours a day for 10 days, have alpine and navigation experience and good river crossing skills, and not tramp solo. Use Plan My Walk, leave intentions in every hut book, and tell someone your plans.
Getting There
To start at Pelorus Bridge, turn off State Highway 6 onto Maungatapu Road at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve and continue 13 km to the road end (the road becomes Mt Richmond Road).
To start from Hacket, follow State Highway 6 south through Stoke and Richmond, turn left at Hope onto Aniseed Valley Road and drive 11.5 km to the signposted Hacket Track car park.
DOC also warns that severe weather has damaged many roads in Marlborough, so check the Marlborough District Council road updates before you travel.
Travelling north, the track begins at Tophouse Road near the Lowther Road turn-off, 750 m from State Highway 63 and around 8 km from St Arnaud.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Richmond Ranges Te Araroa route: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Te Araroa Trail: trail notes and planning for the full Te Araroa route.
Plan My Walk (NZ Mountain Safety Council): plan your trip, check gear and share your intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Richmond Ranges Te Araroa route take?
DOC gives 8 days, but recommends carrying food for at least 10 in case you have to wait out weather or high rivers.
How hard is it?
DOC calls it one of the most challenging parts of Te Araroa, graded advanced tramping track and expert route, with alpine sections, steep drops and many unbridged rivers.
Do I need to book the huts?
DOC’s hut pages list the huts on the route as bookings required. Carry a tent anyway in case you do not get a bunk.
Are there any current alerts?
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had two: windfalls between the Wairoa Gorge road end and Mid Wairoa Hut, and helicopter wilding conifer spraying around the Motueka Gorge and Red Hills until 25 October 2026. Check DOC for updates.
Where can I start?
At the Mt Richmond Road end near Pelorus Bridge, at the Hacket Track car park on Aniseed Valley Road, or northbound from Tophouse Road near St Arnaud.
Can I walk it solo?
DOC says it is not recommended for solo tramping.
Can I take my dog?
Only with a DOC permit.
Can I leave the route early?
Yes. DOC lists exits to the Goulter road end (via Bushy Top) and the Wairoa road end (from Mid Wairoa Hut).
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.